TOMMY SMITH took his time in deciding if a move from London to South Wales was right at the start of this season, but now he knows it was spot-on.

“When a player is in his 30s, as I am, it’s not as easy as it used to be in deciding on a transfer,” says Smith.

“The days when you feel able to move anywhere and play for any manager are gone and it’s important to pick and choose where you go.

“It was absolutely the right decision to join Cardiff City. I am delighted. This is a great club with a great manager in a fantastic city.”

Smith has started in Cardiff’s last two Championship matches, wins at Blackpool and Leeds, after recovering from a hamstring injury and is enjoying his football with the Championship leaders.

“I am under contract through next season and would love to play for this club in the Premier League,” he says. “That’s the target.

“This club has been almost there, but missed out. You sense the fans, having been so close, expect something to happen again.

“We hope they are starting to believe and we will give it everything we have.

“The want to do this for the fans. They have been brilliant and they can help us by being positive.

“City supporters have been unbelievable. The last two matches stick in my mind because I have played. They were long journeys to Blackpool and Leeds, but they turned up in force and made so much noise.

“They are fantastic and deserve something to celebrate at the end of this season.”

The former Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers forward Smith is currently linking up with Craig Bellamy in City’s attack, having been switched inside from the wing.

“I enjoy being asked to play different roles,” says Smith. “My career started at centre-forward and developed from there. I enjoy playing through the middle or going wide.

“It could be argued that strikers make good wingers because when it comes to crossing they know where the forward wants the ball delivered and that helped when I first moved out. Hopefully that has helped me on the wing.

“I first played as an advanced central midfield player at Watford and that’s really where I have played for Cardiff over the last few games.

“It’s really good playing alongside Bellers. He makes great runs and it helps playing alongside somebody who takes the attention of defenders away.

“He plays high on the shoulders of defenders and creates space behind him for me to drop into. That’s what we are working to achieve.”

Smith, 32, was out for three months after suffering hamstring damage, but has quickly regained match fitness and played 90 minutes during the 1-0 win at Leeds United.

That extended City’s impressive away run to seven matches – six wins and a draw – and they take on Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium tomorrow intent on taking their promotion challenge another step forward.

Victory would make it six away wins in a row following the three points earned at Elland Road.

Mackay’s men have built their charge at the top of Championship football on a run which has seen them suffer only one defeat in 14 matches and they have conceded only eight goals in that time.

“Our defenders have been spot on – seven clean sheets during that spell says it all,” says Smith.

“Team spirit has shown through and the lads go out with the attitude they will give everything for the cause.

“Craig Bellamy, in particular, plays his part in defending from the front, which is something we all work to achieve.

“He never gives defenders a minute’s peace and all credit to him for that.

“They know he is breathing down their necks, they know what’s coming and don’t have time to bring the ball down.

“His aim is to make defenders clear quicker than they would want to and we all work to follow his example.

“We are in a good position, but there is a long way to go and we all know what is needed.

“Our attitude is that we have 17 matches left and we’ll try to win all of them.

“Realistically, that won’t happen, but the key is not to get too high when we do win or too low when we don’t.

“A huge factor is team spirit. We will support each other every step of the way – and if anybody does get carried away they are quickly dragged back.

“Whenever we have lost this season it’s been important to bounce back quickly and strongly. That is what we have done.

“We are good at forgetting the last match – win, lose or draw – and get on with the next challenge.

“There have also been quite a few wins by the odd goal, which is nerve-wracking for fans and probably staff as well, but for me it’s a great sign when you can hang on to leads or score at the right time.

“We have been doing that.

“Promotion teams have often been able to find that match management which can mean so much overall.

“We’ve done that pretty well so far and now we have to keep that going, starting at Huddersfield tomorrow.”